Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy is "the use of fingers, hands, and machines to manipulate the soft tissues, or stimulate at the cellular or neurological level of the body to improve healing and recovery" - IVC Journal. Massage is a form of holistic care as it restores balance and increases the individual's overall wellness.

What Are We Trying to Accomplish?

The most important tool in massage therapy is the use of hands. The main goals are to:

Relieve pain

Reduce any muscle tension

Reduce swelling

Improve joint flexibility

Promote tissue healing

Improve and increase circulation

Types of Massage Therapy

Myofascial Release- This technique is used to release tension in the fascia due to conformation issues, trauma, or inflammation. Fascia is the tissue that surrounds the muscles, bones, and organs in the body.

Acupressure- Acupressure replenishes and maintains the health of animals using non-invasive touch techniques to move and balance life force energy. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but instead of using needles, the hands are used to stimulate points.

Friction Massage- This is used to decrease the inflammatory response. Particulary in tendonitis cases, the technique is performed by making small circular movements, in which facilitates more circulation.

What Conditions Can be Treated With Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy can be used to help treat numerous conditions. These conditions include but are not limited to:

Post surgery recovery

Trauma recovery

Muscle and ligament injuries

Recurrent inflammatory conditions

Inflammed and contracted tendons

Development and maintenance of muscles

Stiffness and joint discomfort

Stress relief

Building self confidence, sociability, and trust

End of life care transitions

Are There Any Downsides to Massage?

Used in the right situation, massage therapy can only help, and can be extremely successful. But, it is still important to get a veterinarian's consent before trying massage therapy. This is because massage therapy is contraindicated in patients with:

Fevers

Internal organ problems

Any kind of mass that has not yet been diagnosed as benign

Bacterial or fungal diseases

Fracture disease

Burlington Veterinary Center

17 Covey Rd. Burlington, CT 06013 / USA1-860-675-6009

Office hours

Monday8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Tuesday8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Wednesday8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Thursday8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Friday8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Saturday8:00 am to 12:00 pm

SundayClosed

Emergencies

Emergencies during office hours will be seen right away. Please call ahead. After hours please contact either: